Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

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TWS earbuds exist now and have made our lives much better in terms of audio experience. But the tiny form factor of earbuds can still not match the aural experience of a top-tier headphone. Similarly, TWS noise cancelling earphones exist but cannot compete with the best noise cancelling headphones on the market. Headphones will always have a high ground over all the other audio peripherals such as earbuds and earphones.

Best noise-canceling headphones perform better because they are able to completely shroud the ear from any outside disturbance. If you combine the noise cancellation technology with the ear covering design, you get one of the best noise cancelling headphones.

I have scrounged the internet for the best noise cancelling headphones and have curated a list that will present you with multifaceted options. In this post, I have tried to cover the following aspects of the best noise cancelling headphones.

  1. Which are the best noise cancelling headphones?
  2. Detailed Comparison and Review of the best noise cancelling headphones.
  3. What are their pros & cons?
  4. Which best noise cancelling headphones you should buy?

To help you better understand the attributes of the best noise cancelling headphones, a detailed buyers guide awaits you. Please read it to learn more about the best noise cancelling headphones.

Excited? So, Let’s get started.

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Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

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Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony WH-1000XM4 is the best noise cancelling headphones on our list because it offers a great balance between price and performance. It is certainly not an inferior product be it in audio fidelity or noise cancelling ability.

Specifications:

Microphone:Yes
Cable:1.2 m long
Frequency:4 Hz-40,000 Hz
Drivers:40mm
Battery:Max. 30 hours (NC ON), Max. 38 hours (NC OFF)
Controls:Touch

Build and Design:

Sony aced the design with the Sony WH-1000XM3, so there is nothing major visible improvement. The earcups are rotatable in both directions, so you are not left with a flat and pressing headphone structure. The earphones come with Bluetooth and NFC, two physical buttons, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5 mm jack for cable connection.

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There are also touch controls present on the right earcup. Its headband is evenly padded and so are the earmuffs with soft faux leather. One thing that Sony doesn’t include in these best noise cancelling headphones is the water-resistant property.

Sound Quality:

Sound Quality is expected to be top-notch a d the Sony WH-1000XM4 does not disappoint at all. Powered with the new proprietary SOC, the Sony QN1, and the 40mm drivers, you can experience the music in its true form. The headphones have scrapped the AptX codec support so if your device supports it, now it’s of no use.

Getting onto the noise cancellation part, the new SOC does a better job of improving the noise cancellation than the predecessor. As soon as the music starts, there isn’t anything else audible. Being ANC, the headphones will adjust automatically to different levels of noise cancellation rather than just a plain toggle.

Battery:

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Sony WH-1000XM4 lasts 30 hours on a single charge which is good. The charging is facilitated by the USB Type-C port and the fast charging is retained on this model. The headphones take 3 hours to charge and can also be used by a 3.5 mm audio jack.

Verdict:

Sony WH-1000XM4 deserves the crown. It has relatively new smart features, better comfort, and the best-in-class noise cancelling properties. The only flaw that comes to my mind is the lack of water-resistant coating, slightly heavy design, and excessive noise leak when the headphones are at half their volume capacity.

“Sony WH-1000XM4 are the best noise cancelling headphones on the market.”

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Pros

  • Heavy bass
  • Balanced audio quality
  • Impressive AI-powered ANC
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Cons

  • Noise bleeding
  • Lack of water-resistant coating

Bose QC35 II NC

Bose QC35 II NC is another viable option for the best noise cancelling headphones due to its effective noise cancelling properties and the integration of a voice assistant.

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Related: Best Headphones Under 1000

Specifications:

Microphone:Yes
Cable:1.2 m long
Frequency:4 Hz-40,000 Hz
Drivers:30mm
Battery:Max. 20 hours (NC ON)
Controls:Touch and Button

Build and Design:

Bose QC35 II NC is not a premium-looking best noise cancelling headphones if you look at it from a distance. It has the basic ear cup folding design and is composed of plastic which is sturdy to the touch. The headphones come with a dedicated Google voice assistant button and the usual power volume buttons, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a USB Type-C port for charging.

Sound Quality:

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Bose QC35 II NC outshines in sound quality like its predecessor and has a slightly warm tone of audio output. The bass does not appear muffled as it happens in headphones. Its earmuffs are big and contribute a lot to noise cancellation, even when it is disabled.

When ANC is enabled, the disturbance is barely audible at even low volumes. Bose QC35 II NC has worked equally hard to perfect the Google Assistant integration. It captures your voice input even in a high disturbance environment.

Battery:

The battery life of Bose QC35 II NC isn’t as powerful as the Sony headphones mentioned above but it still manages to last 20 hours on ANC active.

Verdict:

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Bose QC35 II NC sounds good, curbs the outside noise but fails to impress with the aesthetics. For a premium price, you get an outdated design that is mildly comfortable to wear. Also, the battery isn’t upgraded at all and is non-replaceable.

“Bose QC35 II NC live up to their name but look pretty basic.”

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Pros

  • Wide earmuffs
  • Inbuilt Google assistant
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Cons

  • A weird 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm conversion cable
  • Basic design

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless focuses on visual appearance and audio fidelity which makes it a better-looking candidate on the list of the best noise cancelling headphones.

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Specifications:

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Microphone:Yes
Cable:1.2 m long
Frequency:6Hz – 22kHz
Drivers:NA
Battery:Max. 17 hours (NC ON)
Controls:Button

Build and Design:

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is clearly on par with the Apple Air Pods Pro Max in the design game. The headphones do not why away from using a metal headband that makes them sturdy and appealing at the same time. The headphones have a sliding mechanism to adjust the fit and it is super convenient.

There are physical buttons all over the ear cups and the headphones still lack touch controls. There is a USB Type-A to USB Type-C adaptor present. No power on-off button and the headphones can be turned off only by folding them.

Sound Quality:

With the Bluetooth 5.0 version on board and support for the latest codecs like AptX, the headphones truly shine in audio quality. The output can be tweaked using an application that offers an immense level of customization than any normal pair of headphones.

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The noise cancellation is good but not on par with the Sony headphones that pack the greatest noise cancelling experience on the market. The ANC is adjustable and comes with all the useful quirks like transparency, pressure-relieving mode, etc.

Battery:

Despite the bold design, the battery lasts only 17 hours and is a trouble for a studio creator. Carrying the 3.5 mm connectivity jack is recommended.

Verdict:

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless packs a lot except for the flashy metallic exterior. They sound nice but sadly do not last long. Their battery life is a downgrade and half of what the Sony headphones in our lineup of the best noise cancelling headphones offer.

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There are a few useful quirks like simultaneous connectivity to two devices, multiple codecs, and the ability to find your headphones by ringing them.

“Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is classy design with not so good battery life.”

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Pros

  • Metallic design
  • Detailed customizable application
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Cons

  • Average battery life
  • Exposed connectivity wires

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

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Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are a step up from the audio peripheral brand to try and reclaim the crown for the best noise cancelling headphones.

Specifications:

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Microphone:Yes
Cable:1.06  m long
Frequency:4 Hz-40,000 Hz
Drivers:40mm
Battery:Max. 20 hours (NC ON)
Controls:Touch and Button

Build and Design:

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 feature a sliding band that is very minimalistic in appearance. The headphones have a tapered-down headband padding that is designed to provide additional comfort.

It is an all-touch design that has very few buttons and features a USB Type-C port for charging and a 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm jack. The height of the earmuff padding is curved to match the minimal look.

Sound Quality:

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700may have the longest name in our line-up of the best noise cancelling headphones but live up to their name. The headphones come with 11 levels of noise cancellation, which is thrice the number of levels that the Sennheiser Momentum offers.

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Audio is nothing to complain about and the headphones control is application focused. One feature that is missing is the availability of an equalizer to manipulate the bass and treble.

Battery:

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 lasts only 20 hours. ANC is not easy on the battery life but the USB Type-C charging port can juice it up real quick.

Verdict:

The latest offerings from Bose handle the ANC very well. With varying levels, the user gets more control as compared to the simple on/off noise-canceling mechanism. The headphones miss out on a few important features such as a foldable design or tye equalizer feature in the Bose application.

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“Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 offer stellar ANC with 11 levels of customization.”

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Pros

  • Minimalistic design
  • Touch controls
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Cons

  • Lack of equalizer in the application
  • The audio cable is quite difficult to replace

Jabra Elite 85h

Jabra Elite 85his offering a slightly cheaper ANC headphone than Sony and Bose but that is not the only reason to feature them on our list of the best noise cancelling headphones.

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Specifications:

Microphone:Yes
Cable:1.2 m long
Frequency:10Hz to 20kHz
Drivers:40mm
Battery:Max. 36 hours (NC ON), Max. 41 hours (NC OFF)
Controls:Button

Build and Design:

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Jabra Elite 85h has a slightly weird headband design. The comfort is there but the bend feels slightly flimsy which is not good news in the long run. The controls are all physical buttons and the headphones are slightly heavy.

Its exterior is a smooth fabric coating that is water-resistant and can protect you from slight splashes. There is a USB Type-C port and a 3.5 mm audio jack. The cable is quite short making it difficult to position while charging.

Sound Quality:

Jabra Elite series doesn’t compromise on audio quality. With the application, you can cycle between different modes but the equalizer is not available. The ANC is powerful but not impressive like the Sony headphones.

Still, the usual hissing, engine sounds, voices are subdued easily. Jabra decided to keep the equalizer locked and it is a letdown for users who like to activate different profiles for different genres.

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Battery:

Jabra Elite 85h excels in battery life and can easily last over 3p hours, making them a fierce competition to the Sony headphones. The headphones support fast charging as well and a 15-minute top-up can give you 5 hours of battery life.

Verdict:

Jabra Elite 85 share a blend of the best and the worst features. I like the auto-pause, the long battery life, fast charging, and audio quality. But the absence of a power button, only 4 levels of ANC, and thick padding can be a worry for users with pressure-sensitive ears. All in all, decent but not the best noise cancelling headphones available in this price range.

“Jabra Elite 85h can last all day without ever worrying about the charge.”

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Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Pros

  • Auto pause features
  • Two devices connectivity
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Cons

  • Only 4 levels of ANC
  • The headphones get warm

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max land so low only for the price to performance ratio. It is the best the tech giant has to offer and surely the best if you’ve got the dough to spend on it.

Related: Best Noise Cancelling Earphones

Specifications:

Microphone:Yes
Cable:No
Frequency:NA
Drivers:40mm
Battery:Max. 20 hours (NC ON)
Controls:Button

Build and Design:

Apple AirPods Max is built differently. They do not mimic the conventional design. Apple has gone out of its way to craft every piece be it the mesh headband, metallic earmuff, or the controls.

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There is an adjustment wheel that manoeuvres the audio levels. There is an included case, a USB Type-C port but no headphone jack. The biggest advantage is that the color options are customizable and even the earmuffs are replaceable.

Sound Quality:

Apple AirPods Max surely hit the sweet spot of aural experience. They are loud, have support for multiple codecs, and have a thumpy bass that is better than the Sony headphones in our list of the best noise-canceling headphones.

They are better at dampening the external noises that are not pre-fed into the algorithm. Sony XM4 last behind in this active noise cancellation when compared with Apple AirPods Max.

Battery:

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The battery life of the Apple AirPods Max is on par with the Bose headphones mentioned in our list of the best noise-canceling headphones. They last 20 hours and charge by the USB Type-C port with a charger of appropriate wattage.

Verdict:

Apple AirPods Max is good, even better than most of the best noise cancelling headphones in the market. But they are priced more than twice what the best noise-canceling headphones will cost you. Call it the Apple tax or whatnot it is what you have to pay for these premium-looking, better-sounding pair of cans.

“Apple AirPods Max demand a huge sum for the almost similar audio experience.”

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Pros

  • Better active noise cancellation
  • Earmuffs offer superior comfort
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones in India (June 2021)

Cons

  • Very heavy
  • The adjustment crown is positioned incorrectly

Final Words

Sony WH-1000XM4, without any doubt, is the best bang for your buck if you are searching for the best noise cancelling headphones on the market. Bose NC Headphones 700 and Sennheiser Momentum 3 are equally good with a slight disparity in the batter life. Lastly, Apple AirPods Max is designed for every Apple ecosystem uses that strives for the best noise cancelling headphones available with a premium appeal.

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General FAQ

Is it worth buying the best noise Cancelling headphones?

Yes. Noise cancelling headphone are the best audio peripheral to experience music at its best.

What are the best noise Cancelling headphones on the market?

Sony WH-1000XM4. No other product comes close.

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